DEVON AND SOMERSET. 333 



an undulating course, traversing combe after 

 combe, until at the Broomstreet fields it abuts 

 on the county road between Porlock and 

 Lynton. At Yenworthy Common it is continued 

 on the Glenthorne estate so as to protect 

 Yenworthy farm, but in spite of its long extent 

 and formidable height, numerous deer manage 

 to find their way within its confines, some no 

 doubt negotiating the fence at weak spots, while 

 the majority find their way round its western 

 extremity, and work through the cliff woodlands 

 until they reach cultivated land. On wild 

 winter days, when the high ground of the moor 

 is unrideable, these cliff deer often provide 

 occupation for the hounds, and keep the boat 

 on the qui vivc. With the softening influence 

 of the sea close at hand, and amongst the 

 warm shelter of the oaks of Culbone and the 

 pines of Ashley Combe, the clift paths rarelv 

 freeze, and snow hardlv ever lies, except when 

 driven straight on shore by a northerly squall. 

 While hinds and young deer chiefly affect the 

 purlieus of Smallacombe and Stent hill, the 

 stags chiefly inhabit Lillycombe, another favourite 

 woodcock covert, and the healthy plain of 

 Beggars Knap, or seclude themselves in Sil- 

 combe and Titchen Combe, or amongst the 

 larch thickets, scarcely higher than a man's 

 head, at the Broomstreet end of Culbone Plain. 

 In their present condition the plantations 



